You know that I am a huge fan of Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada pavilion. And when I go there, I often order the Mushroom Filet Mignon!

This fantastic filet — one of my favorites in Disney restaurants — is topped with a white truffle butter sauce that’s pretty freakin’ awesome. I love it so much that I recently discovered that I can order extra when I’m at the restaurant (and I do)!

I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Epcot Food and Wine Festival preview yesterday evening at Walt Disney World’s Epcot, and I have more new information to share about the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! (With more to come tomorrow!)

Event Booking Dates and Details

Bookings will begin for all special events on August 14th, 2012, at 7am.

Booking for Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, and DVC members begins August 10th for seminars and demos (including Mixology). Discounts ($2) will be offered for these events Monday through Thursday only. Call 407-WDW-FEST or book online for some events.

I did get the chance to try a couple of the new items for this year! Take a look!

Florida Booth
The new Florida Local booth will feature goodies like shrimp ceviche and white corn arepa!

Concept Art for new Florida Booth

White Corn Arepa with Pork, and Corn Salad

Shrimp Ceviche

Terra Booth
The Terra Vegan booth will feature all vegan items — including vegan wine! The full menu will provide Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice, Chili Colorado with House Made Chips and Cashew Cheese, and Chocolate Cake with Passion Fruit Sorbet and [Read more…]

Some of your favorite Home and Garden Television personalities (along with the just-announced winner of “Design Star” and host of the new show “Shop This Room”, interior designer Danielle Colding) will be heading to the Festival. Returning from last year is Emily Henderson of “Secrets From a Stylist.”

Congratulations to Danielle Colding, 2012 Design Star Winner!

The focus of the seminars is home entertaining. Check out some of the tips you’ll be able to snag…

As always, you can visit our Epcot Food and Wine Festival index page for all updates at any time. Bookings will begin for special events on August 14th, 2012, at 7am. Call 407-WDWFEST or book online for some events at disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

Party for the Senses: Held this year on October 6, 13, 20, and 27, and November 3Party for the Senses in the World ShowPlace is back. As we previously reported, there are three tiers of pricing this year:
1.) A reserved table on the main floor ($170 plus tax, gratuity included, park admission required)
2.) A reserved table in the premium Wine View Lounge is $270 plus tax (gratuity included, park admission required)
3.) General admission $145 plus tax (gratuity included, park admission required). Both of the reserved seating options also include a specialty cocktail and early admission at 7:15 p.m.

Party For the Senses 2011 -- all photos copyright DisneyFoodBlog.com

Marketplace VIP Access Chef Tours These take place at 10:30am each Wednesday during the festival and feature five dishes and five beverages (alcoholic). The tour will last 2 hours. Cost is $90 [Read more…]

Belgian waffles have been a staple of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival for the past two years, and I thought it would be fun to feature the Disney Belgian Waffle recipe as we countdown to the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

The Belgium Booth at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival

We’ll feature a few more recipes as we continue the countdown to September 28th! If you try them out, be sure to let us know! Stay tuned to our 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival pages for all the latest details…

While we wait for the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival menus to be revealed, let’s take a look at some of the merchandise that will be sold at this year’s Festival scheduled for September 28 – November 12.

According to the DisneyParks Blog, Disney’s Event Merchandise department has created some unique items for this year’s event.

Pins and Vinylmation

First up, I HAVE to show you these limited edition pins. Cranberry bog fans will want to collect the Mickey Mouse in a cranberry bog version… Now, I ask you, WHY does Mickey get to go in the cranberry bog and I DON’T?!??!

I’ve been asking Ocean Spray on twitter (@OceanSprayInc if you’d like to petition for me) for months to let me get in the bog, and, alas, no answer…

2012 Food and Wine Vinylmation and Pins

Also showing up in pin form: The main logo pin features Chip and Dale. Disney Vacation Club members should look for a Minnie Mouse pin, and Annual Passholders might want to pick up the new Figment pin (!!!!) — yes please.

Vinyl fans will love that limited edition Vinylmation figure! The 3-inch figure features Tony from “Lady and the Tramp.” Designed by Billy Davis, the edition size is ONLY 2,500.

Signature Artwork This Year

Check out this piece – it’s the signature artwork element that will be used on some of the merchandise pieces like cutting boards, trivets, spoon rests, coffee mugs, and coasters. (Looks like we also get a sneak peek at what the Marketplace Passports will look like!)

2012 Food and Wine Festival Artwork

Drinkware

Two drinkware pieces that will be showcasing the festival logo include a wine glass and light-up tumbler.

(Yes, I am getting a light-up tumbler and you can’t stop me. I’m putting it on my tray when I walk through the festival. Yes, I bring a tray to the festival.)

Once again this year I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Chef Marianne Hunnel, a long-time Disney Chef who has been in charge of development for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival for the past 7 years!

She’s truly one of the most joyful and delightful people I’ve ever spoken with — you can tell this woman is passionate about the Festival and about making sure that Disney guests are pleased with their experience, and that she has a blast doing her job.

Chef Marianne Hunnel

2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival: Taste Your Way Around the World

The Epcot Food and Wine Festival theme this year is: Taste Your Way Around the World, and it will take place from September 28th through November 12th — a whole 46 days!

As always, you should keep an eye on our 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival page for details throughout the summer. We’re updating all the time over there so that you have the latest news and information.

And, luckily, Chef Hunnel was able to tell us some interesting details that we get to share exclusively with you today! Here are a few fun secrets and tips to keep in mind if you’re headed to Epcot this Fall!

New and Returning Items at the World Showcase Booths

While many of the fan favorite menu items will be returning (yep — the Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup is back!), some booths will feature past menu items with a “twist,” says Hunnel.

For example, the steamed mussels at the Belgium booth will be slightly different than guests remember.

And it sounds like the Australian lamb chop will return with a mint pesto sauce this year (subject to change, of course).

Belgian mussels with garlic and cream

Germany will introduce a twist on the ham and cheese spaetzel with a new schinken noodle gratin dish.

Also, New Zealand has traded in the lamb slider for a lamb meatball with tomato chutney.

There will be around 12 dishes that will be completely new to the World Showcase Marketplace Booths this year! Here are just a few…: [Read more…]